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We present new chronological constraints for a reference European palaeoflora based on integrated stratigraphic, palaeobotanical, palaeomagnetic and micropalaeontological analysis carried out on the Pliocene section of Ca′ Viettone, northwestern Italy. This site is characterized by rich fossil plant records of high taxonomic diversity, good preservation, and varied taphonomic mode. Palaeofloral analysis shows that the Ca′ Viettone assemblage reflects a chronologically delimited and distinguishable stage of vegetation development in northern Italy (called Ca′ Viettone Florenkomplex). Palaeomagnetic analyses show a dominant normal polarity that, however, seems to be the result of a remagnetization process due to secondary oxidation. Layers with no evidence of oxidation have registered a reverse polarity, which likely represents the original magnetization of the sediments. These results, in combination with biochronological indications, suggest that deposition of the succession preceded the Gilbert-Gauss reversal and took place during the final part of the Gilbert chron. This confirms a late Zanclean age for the rich Ca′ Viettone palaeoflora and allows us to propose this locality both as reference for a regional Florenkomplex and as a representative example of terrestrial vegetation in Europe during the early Pliocene warm interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Pliocene sedimentary successions of northern and central Italy, fossil swamp forests are relatively common. Most of them pertain to the Piacenzian stage and show a dominance of the conifer Glyptostrobus europaeus as an arboreal element. A new fossil forest that recently cropped out at Fossano in the Piedmont region represents the first Zanclean assemblage of this type. Herein, we describe the context of the site and report the consistent stratigraphic and palaeofloral results so far obtained, also highlighting the need of more detailed future studies. Our results demonstrate that the fossil stumps exposed at Fossano pertain to two superposed forest beds, and the upper one is covered by a dense buried litter of Glyptostrobus europaeus shoots. Therefore, this conifer species is reconstructed as a dominant arboreal plant also in this fossil forest. Other interesting palaeontological information about the Pliocene succession of this relatively neglected area is provided by underlying and overlaying layers. Detailed macropalaeobotanical studies on leaves, fruits and seeds, provide good evidence for the palaeoecological and biochronological characterization of the succession. The integrated plant records (pollen and plant macrofossils) studied in a short interval of the succession correspond with the macrofossil records of the rest of the succession and point to the reconstruction of a “subtropical humid forest” grown under a very warm temperate climate regime, with a small range of temperatures and abundant and well-distributed rainfall throughout the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]